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Winter's Rising

Page 27

by Mark Tufo


  “Why don’t you just tell me?!” I shouted in his face. If I wasn’t so angry, I would have cried. Cedar stood beside me now, silent and intent on our next words.

  “They’re using you, Winter. You’re just a convenient means to an end.”

  “That’s not true!” I poked him in the center of his chest with my finger.

  He grabbed my finger and held it. “No? You must realize no matter what alliances are made that there can only be one victor in the end. So when this super-team you’re forming takes it to the Brutons and the Hillians, then what? First thing that happens is every Dystancian will be slaughtered. Where will that leave you? Are you a Klondike now, Winter? Or are you just a ghost?”

  I took my hand away from him, but softened my voice. Despite my anger at him personally, he had made a good point; in any case, he had fueled whatever doubt I secretly held. “And what do you propose I do, Tallow? Should I just have left our people to die on that first day?”

  “Maybe you should have. You’ve only made it worse.”

  “What?” I asked incredulously.

  “You’ve made it worse, Winter. Now they have hope. Now they think they might make a new life here. Some even think they will return to Dystance and live as heroes, and every day that passes they feel that even more. You have completely forgotten our original quest–to find out what this war is all about to see if there’s a way to stop it for good. That’s what you were supposed to do, Winter, not fight the stupid thing. You’ve let this “Ghost” thing get to you. All this diplomacy and fame, the food, your new friends…all you’ve done is prolong The War.”

  I snapped my mouth shut from the litany of things I wanted to yell at him. These were things I needed to consider carefully, on my own. On some points he was right, but it didn’t change the fact that, no matter how much I thought otherwise, I could not have left our clan to its own devices. But, could I leave them now? Would the Klondikes accept them into their clan? I wished with all my heart that this burden had not been placed on me. Who was I to decide the fate of so many? I wasn’t that special. At one time I could have completely walked away from it all; I had crossed the Pickets. I should have taken the opening when I could have–sought my family, made a new life away from all this. What chance did I have to get back to the Pickets with Haden’s men guarding or watching me all day every day? I didn’t want their protection; and now I felt more like a prisoner than ever before. While my thoughts whirled, Tallow had turned away and was leaving us.

  “This one will probably be the one that tries to do you in!” Tallow yelled back to me as he walked past one of the guards tailing me.

  Cedar waved meekly at the man who was scowling at Tallow. He had upset me so bad I stormed out of the cave and right onto the heels of Haden.

  “I was wondering when you were going to come,” he said, turning to see who had nearly tripped him.

  “We stopped to freshen up,” Cedar interrupted.

  Haden and I looked at each other and shrugged. I looked briefly but deeply at him looking for a trace of the treachery Tallow had suggested. I saw nothing there.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people at one time.” We were overlooking the small valley; the Comanchokees were filling it in.

  “I’ve had them set up their camp there. There is easy access to water and game off to the south.”

  There were plenty of places they could have set up. That Haden had placed them directly in front of the cave entrance spoke volumes. I could see it clearly; he was using them as a buffer for when the Hillians attacked. That was the dour thought I had. I wished I could have chalked it off to paranoia, but it was the kind of strategy I would have used.

  He’d talked about going on the offensive, but that seemed to have changed with the addition of our new friends. It made sense, but it hurt to watch as the character of the man I was getting to know suffered from this callous move. I could only hope that he had another reason, or that I was entirely wrong.

  “Kinder!” I cried, happy to see the Comanchokee leader coming my way.

  “It is good to see you, Winter.” He embraced me in a way in which I thought it impossible that he would someday wish me dead.

  “Did you have any problems?” Haden asked.

  “I’m afraid we were not able to elude all of Mennot’s eyes. It is difficult to move this many people without notice.”

  “It is good you were spotted.”

  Kinder looked at him oddly, as did I.

  “Listen, Mennot will never believe you came here to join forces. He will automatically assume you came to attack. Rest assured he will be fast on your heels, hoping to do clean up. Come Kinder, Winter. I do believe I have a grand idea!” He placed an arm around each of us and escorted us back in.

  Serrot reached for Cedar’s hand and gave it a squeeze as he walked past. I’m pretty sure I heard her sigh. She was getting some funny notions in her head…I decided I was going to do my best to hide her books. She needed to act more like a warrior and less like one of those weak women from her stories whose lives revolved on their love interests. That behavior had no place in this world. Maybe that was a good thing, maybe it wasn’t; how would I know? One thing that was certain either way–we could not afford to be weakened by sentimentality.

  “WHAT DO YOU HOPE to accomplish through this battle strategy?” Kinder asked after Haden had laid out his plan.

  It had some merits, but it also left a lot to chance, and we’d be exposed while we waited for the trap to spring.

  “I’m man enough, and practical enough to know that if either of us went head to head against Mennot we’d lose. They are better trained and better equipped. But we have the numbers now, Kinder. Surprise may give us another advantage that we can exploit.”

  “I do not understand. Our clans do not stand separately.”

  “Yeah, but I want Mennot to think we do.”

  Kinder’s eyebrows furrowed. He obviously did not like the duplicity. It was not an honorable way to fight.

  “Serrot?” Haden asked.

  “I have my doubts, brother, though I shouldn’t. You have proved over and over to have an uncanny ability to triumph when all seems hopeless.”

  “Winter?” He turned to me.

  I’d been busy thinking about how to get my people out of this mess before it decayed to the inevitable all out devastation it was destined to become.

  “Where will the Dystancians be in all of this?”

  “I’d like to keep them out of this.”

  That shocked me, but I kept my expression neutral. “Do you believe they’ll just get in the way?” I asked, a little verve in my voice.

  “I don’t mean anything by it, Winter. They are…untrained and I simply want them to be safe.”

  Or kept hostage, blazed across my mind.

  “They’ll be out of harm’s way,” he added.

  “Did they not prove themselves against the Comanchokees?”

  Kinder nodded.

  “You make it sound like I’m trying to stop them from attending a festival.”

  I must have had a questioning look.

  “It’s when people get together and play games and eat,” Cedar whispered in my ear.

  “I don’t like the idea of them sitting back here and waiting for the victor, like children.”

  “Winter, many people are going to die–would you rather they were among them?”

  I wouldn’t, and I wasn’t even sure why I was arguing for it. Was it honor, like Kinder? Pride maybe? We already owed the Klondikes more than we could repay. Perhaps they were untrained, but my entire clan was born for The War; how many would wish to hide from this great battle? My head was swirling with the possibilities of what could happen. It was possible we would be better off on the field rather than huddled in a cave. Besides Tallow, his friends, Cedar, and myself, the Dystancians had willingly relinquished their weapons. If they were to become casualties of war, wasn’t it better to go out swinging rather than slaughtered
like corralled beasts?

  “Why don’t we let them decide?” Haden was appeasing me; we both knew how that was going to go.

  “I will talk to them,” I announced as I stood.

  “You want me to come with you?”

  “No. You stay, Cedar. Let me know if there’s anything else I need to know.”

  “How goes the great pow-wow?” Tallow materialized from the wall as I entered the camp.

  “You learn that from Cedar?”

  “I asked you a question.”

  “So did I. Do you want to play this game now?”

  “Since when did you become so high and mighty?”

  “Please, Tallow, this isn’t the time.” But he was already walking away. If my heart didn’t rupture before I made it to the Dystance sleeping area I would consider that a win; if my head didn’t explode I would consider that a miracle. I hadn’t been expecting nearly every living Dystancian to be there. Tallow–it had to have been him. I would have to ask him, if we ever spoke again, how he could have possibly known to gather everyone.

  “Oh look, it’s the Ghost come to visit us mere mortals.” Had to have been one of Tallow’s friends who said that. What was worse–my lifelong friend turning against me or feeling hostility from the people whose lives I was trying to protect? Both hurt, deciding which cut deeper was an exercise in futility. Most looked at me expectantly, waiting for news–any news. I had to remember that they knew very little about what was going on. They’d been thrust into a war, seen two thirds of their clan slain, and then were fed, harbored, and tucked away just as quickly.

  “Hi everyone,” I started.

  “Lo! She speaks!” That got some great laughs from Tallow’s friends and some nervous chatter from the rest; I had to smile myself. Tallow just stared at me, a smug look about him that I just wanted to punch off of his face. Would his friends help him out then?

  “I’ve got some news,” I continued.

  “Yeah, regurgitated to us like a momma bird to its babies!”

  “Alright, that’s enough,” Tallow said, silencing his band of idiots. He wanted it to be known by all just who was in control here. Fine, I’d let him think that if it made him feel better.

  “May I continue?”

  “Please do. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.”

  Why was he being such a jerk? “The Comanchokee arrived today. Even as I speak, they are cementing their alliance with the Klondikes, which means…well, it appears we are all now in a three-way alliance.”

  “Tell them what good it does us,” Tallow shouted out, clearly sarcastic.

  “What does he mean? How is it not a good thing?” another in the group asked, clearly confused. The crowd began to murmur.

  “Dystancians! Tallow believes that once the Comanchokees and Klondikes defeat the Brutons and Hillians that they will turn on us. It is not what I believe, but it is not without historical precedence.”

  “How could we hope to stop them? They have our weapons”

  “There are far too many; we wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “Should we run?”

  “Where would we go?”

  The questions were coming rapid fire and non-stop; I let it continue for a minute, then I raised my voice above the clatter.

  “I think we should fight.” That cut through the forest of words like a sharp knife.

  “Fight? They’ll kill us.”

  “Someone most certainly will if you don’t fight back. Haden will tell you that you should stay here while the larger clans fight it out.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing?”

  “Yeah, we’d be safe.”

  “I like Haden; he cares about us.”

  Again as a clan they were all speaking their piece.

  “Dystancians, hear me. At best, this plan would provide a moment’s security. When the battles are over, only one clan can stand; this has always been the way of The War, and as much as I wish it differently, I see now this essential fact will not likely change. What do you think any of the surviving clans will do once they come back in here and you are all sitting here like sheep? Will they continue to house and protect us like guests?”

  There were some shocked expressions and many were trying to hold back tears, some could not. Despite our victories and celebrations, our reality remained unchanged: there was war and there was death. There was no safe haven, no true respite, no way out unless through fighting. Fighting people to the death fundamentally changes things in your head; you can no longer see the world as you once did. Some grew stronger, some grew weaker, some checked out altogether; but always it effected change. It was one of the first things we had learned from Brody’s lessons and the books we found. It seemed so long ago.

  “Do you really think we have a chance out there?” One of Tallow’s friends became suddenly interested.

  “You have more of a chance out there than you do in here,” I told them all.

  “Are you ordering us?” Tallow asked.

  “Would you listen?”

  “About as well as you have.”

  “Then we put it to a vote and stand together as a clan.”

  I was proud of my people. Of the sixty-seven left, only five said they wouldn’t fight, Tallow among them. “Go get your weapons, and from now on, carry them constantly. We rely on no one but ourselves.” The group filed past as I waited for Tallow to get in a parting shot.

  “And what of you?” I asked.

  “Me? Oh I plan on living.”

  “That’s it, Tallow? That’s all you have for me?” Tears threatened and I hated him for making me feel so vulnerable and alone, especially in front of his friends who seemed to be eating it up. For a second I thought he might soften; maybe if we were alone he would have, but his friends pressed him on and he went with it.

  “What more do you want from me? I have given you all I can. While you get the rest of our clan killed, I’ll be searching for a way to lasting peace. Let’s go,” he told his friends.

  “Get out of my way, ghost,” one of them muttered at me with distain.

  I did cry once I knew for certain they were gone. The frustration of it, the hurt, it was too much.

  “I saw Decks and Juniper getting their weapons, so whatever you said must have worked.” Cedar nearly slid into me as she came running up. “Whoa, hey, you alright?” she asked when she saw my face; she put her hands on my shoulders. “Tallow? It’s Tallow, isn’t it? I will beat him silly!” And she meant it.

  “He hates me, Cedar, and I don’t know why.”

  “I don’t think he hates you; though it is clear he’s very angry. I think he’s afraid of you and he’s lashing out.”

  “What? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Sure it does. First, Brody tells him he’s holding you back. So, when we entered The War, I’m sure his man-self hoped he’d have the chance to save you half a dozen times and you would fall completely and madly in love with him. Then you go and become this super-hero legend woman that he can’t even hold a candle to, proving everything Brody said. Now here comes this great leader who is obviously smitten with you on every possible level and sorry, but it looks like you are at least in lust with him, too. Anyway, you’re partnering with him in a war Tallow’s having even a lesser part in. He doesn’t know who he is any more, especially to you.”

  “Thank you, Cedar, I think. I guess you have learned something from those books…although now I’m going to have to read them myself so I can follow what you’re saying half the time.”

  “I THOUGHT WE had settled this.” Haden was looking at me crossly.

  “We did not settle anything. You said one thing should happen, and I disagree.”

  “This makes no sense, Winter. What can such a small force possibly achieve?”

  “Maybe nothing, maybe everything. I will not have them sit in a corner waiting to be spoils for the victor.”

  “I would have expected something like this from Tallow, not from you.” Haden stated,
his voice rising. I was having very little luck today with the men in my life.

  “The Dystancians are my responsibility, not yours, Haden. I appreciate all you’ve done for us, we all do. But we are in this war and it is their lives I need to consider. Please don’t look at me that way,” I pleaded. I thought the fighting was supposed to be the hardest part, but seeing Tallow and Haden so angry with me was tearing me apart.

  “Don’t get in my way.” He stomped off furiously, nearly throwing everything I thought about him out the window.

  “CEDAR, I DON’T feel right about any of this and it feels like I’ve lost control. Tallow wants us all to leave and Haden wants us all to stay together. My instinct tells me neither of them is right; but I can’t see a better option.”

  “What are you saying?” Cedar looked up at me from oiling down her blade.

  “Mennot’s coming here, that much we know. With Kinder and Haden combined it’s about an even fight, but after all is said and done, all of them are going to want us dead. We need to find a way to get out of this mess; just not Tallow’s way.”

  “Winter, I’m not taking Tallow’s side, but he’s right. You aren’t paying attention to what is right in front of you. I’ve been watching close lately and I’m surprised Haden lets you go relieve yourself alone.”

  “They aren’t…. No.” I pushed her. “They don’t watch that closely. You’re so gross!”

  Cedar laughed. “You just don’t figure a ghost for having to go; it’s fascinating, I guess.”

  “Don’t make me hurt you.”

  “The point remains: how do you expect to leave if you always have an escort?” Cedar asked.

  “So, you believe we are captives here. They might be keeping an eye on me, but you don’t have an escort and neither do any of the others.”

 

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